John and Olivia looked in amazement as their lost daughter, who they thought had been killed, was now being held by Jason. John looked over at his wife. "Fetch a blanket please, Livy?" Olivia nodded and walked inside while John ushered the kids back inside. He could tell they all wanted to stay and hug Joy; but John figured all of them bombarding her at once after such a hard couple of days will be too much.

"Here you go, John." Olivia said her face split with a large smile. "I'll set up the couch, and I'll make up a plate for her."

"Sounds good, Livy." John turned to look at the Sheriff. "What are you thinking, Ep?"

Sheriff Bridges looked over at Jason who now had Joy in his arms as he was walking back towards the house. Reckless jumping trying to lick Joy's face.

"She's gonna be needing a Doctor, John." Sheriff Bridges as John walked up and draped the thick blanket over Joy's trembling body. "That leg alone will cause her problems." He continued once Jason walked inside.

"We'll manage, Ep." John said looking back at the house. "She's my responsibility, and I'm sure Jason will agree."

Sheriff Bridges smiled and nodded. "I can go fetch the Doc. We need to get those wounds looked at before they turn bad."

John nodded and waved goodbye. He turned and headed up the porch while Sheriff Bridges walked quickly to his vehicle.

The house was filled with chatter as everyone, save it John, Jason and Joy, sat around the table. Olivia had a place set for Jason but he was on the couch being laid on by Joy who looked to have fallen asleep. John could see the gleam of the start of a fever and she did look pale even outside.

"Jason, come and eat." John said gently seeing the reluctance in his son's eyes. "She'll be there when you're done. She's gonna need someone to hold her when the Doc comes."

Jason nodded and gently lifted her up so that he could stand. As he gently set her back on the couch he noticed how much more trembling she had started to do. It was as if Jason was the only thing keeping her warm and now that he was gone she was cold and alone. "Don't worry," he whispered brushing back some of her hair and kissing her gently on the forehead, "I'm still here." He watched as her trembling slowed down after he spoke. He kept an eye on her when he sat down a few seconds later. He kept one leg over the side just in case he needed to get to her side quickly.

Emma looked over at her sister and let out a silent thanks to God for bringing her back. As she looked over at her Emma could tell she would be having a rough few weeks and gripped Ben's hand. She was scared of what Joy went through but she was terrified of something like that happened to her.

Ben glanced over and gently returned the favor and squeezed her hand. He glanced over at Jason who was fighting to eat his dinner quick but instead was keeping pace . Ben knew if he was in Jason's shoes he wouldn't rest until Emma had been found. He would be doing the same thing his older brother had done.

"Children when the Doctor comes I need all of you to be in your rooms." John said who watched as his children nodded.

"Why, Daddy?" Elizabeth asked not wanting to disobey but merely find out why.

John smiled sweetly down at his youngest. "The Doctor will need some privacy as he works on finding out what happened to Joy these past two days." John looked up seeing Joy on the couch at first didn't seem real, and he was beginning to feel an anger burning in his stomach as he saw her. "So please eat up, and as a warning money will be tight for a while after this."

The family nodded in understanding. They knew that when it came to family money was what got them the needed help. That treats were what it sounded like a treat.

Reckless started to bark again as someone had pulled up to the house. The children quickly ate their food and took their dishes to the sink. John wiped his mouth with his napkin before rushing to the door as Sheriff Bridges knocked on it.

"Evening Doctor." John said shaking the other man's hand.

"John." the Doctor smiled and nodded politely at Olivia. "Ma'am." He walked over to where Joy was laying and looked over at John. "This girl needs a hospital, immediately."

"A hospital?" Jason said jumping to his feet. "You just looked at her."

The Doctor gave Jason a kind glance the looked at John. "This girl is very sick. Her leg alone should be properly checked."

John nodded and turned to look at Jason. "She has to stay at the hospital Jason. I'm sure the Doctor will take great care of her."

"That I would there, boy." The Doctor set a hand on Jason's tense shoulder. "If it's alright with your folks, I can let you stay with her for a couple of days."

Jason looked over at both John and Olivia who nodded making the young man smile. "Thank you so much, sir."

"Likewise. Now will you help carry her to the truck, please?"

Jason didn't need to be asked twice as he carefully scooped Joy into his arms and followed the Doctor to the Sheriff's vehicle.

John and Olivia stood and watched as the car pulled away taking their fears away.

~DSCWIN~

The next couple of days were hard for those still in the Walton's home as the younger children were sent to school, while those old enough to work did. John and Olivia had gone to the hospital early on Tuesday to see how Joy was doing. Jason was supporting a clean shaven face and looked to have gotten sleep as the bags under his eyes for the time Joy had been gone had vanished when they walked into Joy's room. They found Jason sleeping in a chair their hands clamped together, and Joy sleeping peacefully with her left leg wrapped in a cast and suspended in the air, a bandage over her left eye was starting to look a little dirty as blood began to seep out but figured it was slowly getting rid of the swelling.

She still had a slight pale complexion but it was slowly gaining back her color.

The Doctor smiled at the Walton's and talked quietly outside to not disturb the two young kids in the room.

Jason slowly woke up and smiled sweetly at how Joy was sleeping in the bed next to him. He didn't care about how sweaty his hand was. The fact he was besides Joy was the best feeling ever. He smiled as he watched her shift in her bed before slowly opening her eye.

"Good morning, Joy." He sang, softly raising her hand and pressed his lips against the back. He grinned as she tried to hide the blush but smiled at him. "How did you sleep?"

"Very well. Since you're here." Joy said before turning and looking up at the ceiling. "I do however miss my own bed."

"Well," John's voice startled the two in the room but made both of them smile. "It's a good thing we came to take Jason home." He walked over and hugged his son while Olivia walked over and hugged Joy.

"Daddy, how much longer will she be needing to stay here?" Jason asked looking back at her.

"She's coming home with us." John said with a smile which resulted in everyone else to smile back. "Doctor said she's safe to come home."

Olivia smiled down at Joy who frowned slightly as if she was in trouble. "Joy, what's the matter?" She asked gently pushing the hair that fell over her right eye.

"I just feel like you're not telling me something." Joy said looking up at John who gave a reassuring smile.

"There's nothing to be worried about, Joy," He said walking over and standing next to his wife. "Doctor said you're fever's down and the only thing he suggest for the leg is to use a crutch with walking. Just for a few weeks."

"What about my eye?" Joy reached up and touched the bandage gently.

"They'll be coming in to take it off before you're released." Olivia said with a smile. "Then we'll be bringing both you two home."

"Home." Joy repeated smiling at the images of all the Waltons there. Everyone that would be happy to see her there. Her eyes darted up to Jason who smiled down at her.

~DSCWIN~

Despite insisting on sitting up in the front with John and Olivia both Joy and Jason sat in the back of his truck. John drove as smooth as possible not wanting to go over large bumps without a proper warning first. Jason and Joy however enjoyed the trip in the back. As they drove down they sat close to one another, Jason's arm wrapped around her waist while Joy, now bandaged free looked around glad to have two sets of eyes again. Ideas of paintings popped in her head as they drove home. Now if only she could drive back here to paint them. But she was indeed happy to know the dark shadow that had appeared twice in her life would no longer darken any more doorways for her. She was free. Free to live her life as she saw fit.

A/N: This is the last chapter of The Orphan I might do a continuation later once I get a handle on my other stories that I've neglected. Thank you for taking this trip with me and hope to see you in my next book. Thanks!